Heyer Marks History of Avery-Downer House in 175th year

Editor’s Note: the full articles noted in this story are archived on this website and can be read in their entirety. Thanks to the author and friend of Robbins Hunter Museum, William Heyer, for his research and interpretations of earlier days when grand homes like the Avery-Downer house were conceived and constructed.

The Avery-Downer House, home to the Robbins Hunter Museum, celebrated its 175th year this year and thanks to nationally recognized classical architect, William Heyer, we learned much about the history of the building, its creators, and the culture that permeated the times.

Heyer, who is from Columbus, has long been actively involved at the Robbins Hunter Museum. As a member of the Board in the early 2000's, he created measured drawings of the interior and exterior of the building and researched appropriate finishes. More recently, he designed the Knobel Folly, an appropriate addition to the Jill Griesse garden.  On May 5, he led a walking tour of downtown Granville with emphasis on the Avery-Downer House and St. Luke's Church.           

Over this year, Heyer wrote a three-part series of extensive and in depth articles for this newsletter, articles that are now archived here.

In the first article, published in April 2017, Heyer wrote about the fasciation of temple design and the unusual habit of building temples in the 1840’s as homes.

“The notion that a young family would live in a Greek temple in America is quite reasonable and beautiful, actually. These young Americans in the first half of the 19th century prided themselves on their new democratic republic—a form of self-government that had its origins in ancient Greece. These young Americans also believed in individual rights quite apart from any monarchy, aristocracy, or other system of oppressive government. Hence, man was a special creature, endowed by the Creator with rights and value above and beyond royalty.”

Then he talked about Albert Avery.

“Alfred Avery began his entrepreneurial career in Granville as a drover taking livestock to eastern markets like his future business partner and brother-in-law Lucius Mower. On their travels, they would have seen some of the stately Greek Revival mansions being built and possibly had come in contact with other businessmen who were commissioning their own temple houses. Further, they quite possibly would have been introduced to the architectural pattern books of Asher Benjamin, John Haviland and others that were widely disseminated in the early 19th century. From all accounts, the tradition of grand domestic architecture was something any young aspiring entrepreneur like Avery would have been interested in at this time….Avery came to acquire the double lot at 221 E. Broadway about 1837, about the same time he helped organize and complete a building campaign for his own church, St. Luke’s Episcopal.”

The second article, published July 6, explored the fascinating symbolic meanings behind entrances, in particular the front entrance.

“Since ancient times, the entrance to houses, temples, mausoleums, and civic buildings has symbolized an engagement with the world, the cosmos, the other side of death, the body politic. ‘Crossing over’ has intense meaning for us. It is a transformation in one way or another, a progression into the future, a conversion, a symbol of freedom or welcome, and a way forward to things previously unknown and unseen.”

Heyer acknowledges the classical inspiration behind the frontispiece of the Avery-Downer house, and recognizes its uniqueness.

“In 1842 when Alfred Avery was planning and designing his home on East Broadway, he certainly had in mind a timeless and yet personal sense of entry. The frontispiece surrounding the main north door is a masterpiece of Grecian design. It might seem redundant, interestingly, that a temple house should have an especially decorated doorway when it has the power of the Ionic temple speaking so clearly to the public. In reality, the two are quite opposite each other because the Ionic temple projects in an active way to engage the public while the frontispiece seems to fold inwards in a passive and receptive way. They both balance each other with their distinct purposes. One is strong and active, the other gentle and receptive. This is a brilliant showcase of the refined classical tradition in American architecture.”

And in the third and final article, published November 3, Heyer turns to the men who inspired each other and who shared a love for the architecture: Granville’s great entrepreneur and philanthropist Alfred Avery, celebrated architect Minard Lafever, and gifted builder Benjamin Morgan, builder of St Luke’s and Avery’s own house at 221 E. Broadway.

“We know that Avery, Lafever, and Morgan were instrumental leaders in the building of St Luke’s and we know that Alfred Avery was a major player in the financing and building of the Ohio canal system.

…Alfred Kelley was the celebrated first Mayor of Cleveland, a State Representative, and the genius behind Ohio’s canal system. He had been “pushing for canal bills through the state legislature, had personally surveyed land, signed contracts, and kept diligent records.” He was one of the most important figures in 19th century Ohio. Alfred Avery of Granville, also a canal financier, was almost certainly present that day having held a large sum of money in contracts to build the canal and would have wanted to see the beginning of his investment with all the fanfare and celebrated personalities present.

…The beauty of the new temple house of his acquaintance Alfred Kelley and the beauty of the new church of St. Luke’s most certainly influenced his decision to rely on Minard Lafever and Benjamin Morgan for the design of his own Ionic temple at 221 E. Broadway.”

And so, this year we have celebrated the history of our house, the Avery-Downer House.

Stuffing a Scarecrow...

Volunteer Spotlight

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill

 “We have to do what we can to help wherever and whenever it is possible for us to help.” — Jackie Chan

 “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.” — Muhammad Ali

 “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” — Elizabeth Andrew

Kim Vohs, RHM Volunteer

Over the decades, the efforts and results of volunteers have been noted and honored. Take these words to heart and step up to volunteer at the Robbins Hunter Museum.

Kim Vohs has done just that. Kim retired from Boeing two years ago and took her interest in organizing to RHM. She has happily, she says, reordered the kitchen, Ann’s closet and other areas of the museum. Follow in Kim’s lead and give us a call to find out how you, too, can help out.

Current needs are for docents Wednesdays thru Saturdays from 1 – 4 p.m. Learn about the museum and share our interesting history with visitors. Call Director Ann Lowder to find out more about volunteering.

Garden Day 2017

Summer sun, verdant green, and the pleasure of gathering all marked this year’s Garden Day at Robbins Hunter Museum. Preview night brought people together around a Garden Fair for socializing on the east lawn where vintage garden stonework, historical house replicas as birdhouses, Victorian Tussie Mussies and other unique and exquisite gift items were available. Inside, a sanctioned garden show delighted browsers who viewed plant specimens, photography, and floral designs, all cast with a Greek flair. More than 500 people attended the fair and the flower show. The next day, nearly 250 people toured four pristine local gardens to see natural environments enhanced by plants, stone, wood and flowers.  The weather cooperated, the visitors wore broad smiles under summer garden hats, and the flowers bloomed all around. Garden Day 2017 was a success.

We're on the path Jean laid

 One day Granville resident, Jill DeSapri, looked out her window and a woman was standing in the yard taking a picture of Jill’s house, a 1796 New England house, the Manwaring House, she and her husband, Don, moved to Granville in pieces and rebuilt in 1996.

The woman, “caught in the act” so to speak, admitted her love for historic homes, really old ones, Jill said.  That chance meeting was to blossom into a friendship that brought the two together around another old house, the Avery-Downer House, home to the Robbins Hunter Museum. This old house is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year.

Jean McDaniel was that photographer, and many will remember her as the volunteer director of the museum in the days when the home was being transformed into a house museum. At age 89, Jean passed away this spring and Jill remembers the hard work and fun times they had as part of a handful of dedicated volunteers who were determined to piece together the history and “write the story” of the Avery-Downer house as it took on a new life.

Jill spent 12 years working alongside Jean; Don sat on the Board for an equal amount of time. Both are antique dealers and, along with Jean, took a special interest in the furnishings and art in the house. “It was a hodge podge at first and we all decided to make it as organized as possible.”

“I liked Jean very much,” Jill said. “She was quiet in her work, loved the house and wanted to restore it the right way and was very intent in her goals.”

During those years she opened the house as a museum, but Jill admits the small cadre of volunteers couldn’t handle it all so visitor attendance was generally small. Jean’s husband, Robert, would be there every day to help out, she added.

Current Director Ann Lowder remembers Jean well and values the work she did. “I knew Jean for many years as we were both founding members of the Ohio Historical Decorative Arts Association.  Jean was also a member of The Rushlight Society, an international group of collectors and students of early lighting.  She brought that knowledge as well as connections to other people in that field to the museum.  She carefully and responsibly restored the many magnificent pieces of lighting that Robbins Hunter had collected,” she said.

“Her professionalism continued even after retiring as she volunteered to continue entering accessioned items into our catalog base.  She came in once a week and was always a calm and trusted source of information and direction for this new director,” Ann said.

Eventually Jean moved to Columbus where she later passed away at the Kobacker House after complications following surgery.  Until her death, she remained active from a distance. “Even after moving to Columbus, she would respond to my telephoned questions with enthusiasm and expert advice.  She was a remarkable person to fill the shoes of Director during the period of extensive research required to restore and return the Avery-Downer House to its Greek Revival grandeur, Ann added.

“I counted Jean as a good friend as well as a trusted source for discussing issues related to the museum, whether the topic was people or history or period restoration.  She was a generous person, always willing to share her knowledge.”

To all who knew Jean, there was one thing they had in common. Jean wanted to restore the house the right way and to that end, she laid a clear path for those to follow in her footsteps.

Huck Finn Opens 2017 Season

“It's lovely to live on a raft. We had the sky, up there, all speckled with stars, and we used to lay on our backs and look up at them, and discuss about whether they was made, or only just happened- Jim he allowed they was made, but I allowed they happened; I judged it would have took too long to make so many.” Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

            The 2017 season at the Robbins Hunter Museum opens April 5 with an exhibit and programs on Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. The story of a precocious red headed boy who floated down the Mississippi River commenting on life as he saw and lived it has taken on timeless legend since its publication in 1884. And that legend has taken extraordinary turns over the years since.

RHM board member and professor emeritus at UCLA Tom Wortham, will open the 2017 season with his personal collection of the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn memorabilia.

Tom Wortham, local resident, RHM board member, and emeritus professor of English at UCLA, presents The Mark Twain Nobody Knows: Reading Between the Lines, April 5 thru September 9. An exhibit of memorabilia will be in the Robbins Hunter room, and Wortham will deliver an opening lecture on Thursday, April 6, with a full discussion of the book on Wednesday, May 3. Both programs are free to members, $10 to non-members and for both programs, $15. Register online for either or both of these programs.

Selections from Wortham’s personal collection of memorabilia will be on display. The story of Twain’s river boy reached mythological status and controversial heights in the decades following the book’s publication. That notoriety, and with the help of Twain who knew a thing or two about creating buzz, led to a sustained and often heated level of commercialization that Wortham says has unfortunately – if not unintentionally – clouded the literary merit of the book. Inside the folksy vernacular of Twain’s storytelling lies serious commentary on the social and political issues of the time, Wortham says.

“We need to back off the Disney image,” he adds, “and realize how sophisticated the book really is for its time. This is not a kid’s book. I want to make people set aside the commercial images and read the book as serious literature. This is fantastic prose.”

And the Disney image, as Wortham dubs it, is enormous, even outrageous. A pudgy overstuffed Huck sits on a shelf as a Cabbage Patch collectible doll, or as red headed freckled statuettes of all sizes and interpretations. Jim, the wise mild-mannered black slave in the story, even shows up as a white boy on a poster. (no kidding!)  And finally, Twain, always dressed in white, poses as a solemn faced gentleman. These make up just a sampling of the hundreds of likenesses and often wild interpretations that fill the third story of Wortham’s Buckeye Lake home. Those depictions, in addition to boxes upon boxes of printed materials, make up a collection that Wortham says exceeds a thousand pieces.

Mark Twain and Huck Finn in just one of many representations since Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was published in 1864.

Wortham has a personal interest and a respected academic reputation regarding Mark Twain. His talk on April 6 is one he has shared before, most aptly perhaps on the American Queen riverboat as it chugged along the waters of the wide Mississippi as Huck would have on his raft. Wortham will explain how the commercialization of a red headed, freckled kid and his black traveling companion clouded the deeper and more socially troublesome political issues of the day, to note, slavery. Twain’s liberal and unapologetic use of the “N” word has prompted argument, banning, or defending by schools and libraries over the decades, which added substantially to its enduring commercialization. The story of Huck Finn certainly has not receded into history.

The second program on May 3 is a discussion of the book with those who attend. Wortham will invite all who would like to read the book again, or for the first time, to join him to talk about the story and discover its layers of social and political commentary.

“I want people to read the book on its own terms without modifications,” he concludes.

---

Robbins Hunter Museum

April 5 – October 31, 2017

The Mark Twain Nobody Knows:

Reading Between the Lines

In four parts -

Part I – Mark Twain, Inc. The commercialization of Twain.

Part II – The Innocent at Large: Huck Finn as a book about boys, not a boy’s book.

Part III – Huckleberry Finn: “Only a Language Experiment.”

Part IV – Dark Twain: The late pessimistic Mark Twain.

The Glorious Holiday

When we think of “glorious” we might conjure images of amazing sights we’ve seen in our lives. We might use accolades to describe them as “magnificent,” “delightful,” “wonderful,” and even “illustrious.”  But when we say, “Glorious Christmas,” we know we mean Christmas at the Robbins Hunter Museum.

This memorable season at the museum officially opens on Saturday, Nov. 12 for the annual Member Preview and then to the general public through the end of the year. Extended museum hours for the first time will find the house open longer, closing only December 24, 25 and 31.

 Special evening events for the first time this year, Nights Before Christmas, are scheduled for Dec. 8, 15, 22, and 29 where special tours and refreshments offer the personal touch. Cost is $5 and the first Night Before Christmas is already sold out.

Indeed, Christmas at RHM has become an art form, sketched over time through decorated trees, mantles, lights, and the stories told of past times and customs by holiday aficionados who volunteer time, talent, and material.  In the life of the museum at Christmas time, few are more devoted to the art than Jean Jankowski.

Jean Jankowski puts the finishing touches on the WWI tree.

Jean brought her fervent love for theme-based Christmas trees to the 1800s house museum some five years ago and she and others have nurtured it from there.

This year with the help of a cadre of volunteers, seven theme trees, each sitting in one of the museum’s lovely rooms, will tell their stories . A suffragette tree, for example, will stand tall in the Ladies Parlor and speak through photos and inspiring quotations, punctuated with sunflowers, the emblematic symbol of the woman suffrage army, bright yellow flowers that turn their face to the light and righteousness.

Another tree, playful with push pin ornaments, will greet visitors in the Long room. A 1950’s tree tells the story of a past generation in the beautiful Octagon Room, delighting visitors with its bubble lights and shimmery lead icicles.

For Jean and her co-chair, Rebecca Dungan, who oversees the program committee for the RHM Board, it’s all about remembering the past through images and symbols of the times in a season where we are able to take time to remember.

When Jean joined the ranks of volunteers who bring Christmas in the 1870’s to life at RHM, she brought her love for the Christmas tree. And like Jean’s own house of trees, the trees each tell their own story. In Jean’s Granville home, she has an all-glass tree with a family collection of handmade glass ornaments dating back to the late 1800’s, an all Santa tree, a gingerbread tree, and more.

The first theme tree at the museum was the Civil War tree. “We really started the themes then,” Jean said. And for the first years, “we just moved that tree around,” Becky added.

“The Civil War Commemorative tree touched our visitors last year and will be followed this year be a WWI Commemorative tree honoring the Licking County soldiers who lost their lives in that war,” she added.

So then the idea caught on and the art of gathering original ornaments and crafting authentic reproductions took off. Becky herself, for example, has made virtually all of the ornaments for the 1870’s tree.

Others in the community contribute talents as well. Joanne Woodyard’s complete set of cut out Santas for the tree in the Hunter Room is here on loan while Nancy Eucker made blown eggs with pressed flower designs for the Egg Tree. “And the dried flower tree in the Doctor’s office is breathtaking,” Becky said.

All in all, the finished portrait of Christmas at Robbins Hunter Museum promises to live up to its name. Visit often during the season and take time to explore each and every tree.

Scarecrows bring leaders to life

Bicycle wheels, a handmade dress and blue-stitched eyes became the stuff of presidents and first ladies this fall as students from Welsh Hills School brought this country’s leaders to life…as scarecrows.

For the second year, the lawn of the museum was sprinkled with their creations in celebration of Halloween. Sixteen puffy headed, stiff armed, fully dressed and straw stuffed scarecrows represent either a president or a first lady in this presidential year. The invasion began on Oct. 14 and ran until the 31st. It was part of a museum-wide celebration of the fall holiday with collector George Johnson’s Halloween through the ages displayed inside.

The students of Licking County’s only independent school, located in Granville, delighted in telling the stories of their presidential pick and all they learned and created in this hands-on learning adventure. Three of them are here:

Avery Swartz, age 10, of Granville

Avery Swartz with Franklin Roosevelt

Avery’s inspiration for his choice of Franklin D. Roosevelt might have begun with stories about handicapped children overcoming life’s obstacles. The film, “Annie,” and the story of Helen Keller, are two that Avery cites as important to him. “Roosevelt managed to do all that he did when he was paralyzed,” he said.  And that impressed Avery.

To portray the reality of Roosevelt’s life, Avery needed a wheelchair. “I wanted to make him look smart and attractive in the chair,” he said. So he used bicycle wheels and a regular chair to fashion the wheelchair for his Roosevelt scarecrow. “It took me about nine days to make him,” Avery said. “He’s now my favorite president.”

Nora Catherine Carrington, age 10, Newark

Nora Carrington and Martha Washington

Nora went farther back in time to honor the very first, first lady, Martha Washington. Her Martha scarecrow was one of four first ladies represented this year with Victoria Woodhull, the first woman to run for president, as the fifth woman to stand on the lawn.

Nora is fascinated with the life of Martha. She learned that Martha was married twice and had four children, none of whom survived childhood. Martha was a learned woman from a well-to-do family. “Learning about Martha was very fun,” Nora said. “When I first started I thought it would be too challenging, but then I found ten facts that were very helpful and said to myself, ‘I can do this.’” And she smiled.

Special for Nora is a dress that her grandmother had made for her mother when they lived near Williamsburg in Virginia and that now dons scarecrow Martha. “She made it for my mother to represent the women in colonial Williamsburg.  It has a shawl and an apron.”

In all, Nora was very pleased with her Martha. “I needed to repair an eye and the smile is a little thin, but I like it,” she said.

J.J. Herro, age 11, Granville

J.J. Herro with Teddy Roosevelt

J.J. chose the other Roosevelt for his scarecrow. Teddy Roosevelt’s love for the outdoors and his Rough Riders persona captured JJ’s imagination. “He’s my favorite president,” JJ said. “And he was the youngest president at age 42.”

J.J. laughed when he began to talk about creating Teddy’s face where mouth, nose and eyes are stitched. “I’m not very good at sewing,” he said, “and then I realized that I sewed his eyes blue in the place where they should have been white!” But J.J. took the broader view and with a deadline to meet, he decided that was OK after all. His president when stuffed with straw and dressed is quite personable, J.J. agrees, and he is proud of his work.

All three students enjoyed the research component of this learning project as well as the construction part and were eager to share what they learned. The project was part of their language arts class under the direction of teacher Shelli Drumm, “The students looked over the list of presidents and first ladies, eliminating any selected last year. After they made their choice, they talked with the librarian about getting facts,” she said. “Each student then wrote and typed a biography.”

Drumm said she believes one of the most important parts of this project was their preparation to make a public presentation. When the scarecrows were installed, each student spoke about the life of these impressive men and women who have impressed them, in scarecrow form.